Tight end from SC commits to Herd

HUNTINGTON -- Living so close to the beach, Carolina Forest (S.C.) tight end Ryan Yurachek was ready for a bit of a change of scenery.

On Tuesday morning, Yurachek traded the beach for the hills and became Marshall University football's third verbal commitment in five days.

Yurachek, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end, has been a three-sport standout at Carolina Forest High School in Myrtle Beach. He has also starred on the basketball team and played third base and designated hitter for the Panthers' baseball team.

Drew Hummel, Carolina Forest's head football coach, thinks that versatility plays right into Marshall's hands.

"We encourage guys to play other sports because it helps keep their edge," Hummel said. "He's very competitive and his work ethic is second to none. He comes from a great family and he's smart, so he'll be able to adjust on the fly."

On the football field, Yurachek finished 2012 with 58 receptions for 762 yards and eight touchdowns, according to Hummel.

That was enough to have him named as a tight end for the 2012 All-Zone Team, presented by WPDE NewsChannel 15.

Hummel said in speaking with Marshall wide receivers coach Mike Furrey, he and Yurachek learned how similar his team's offensive scheme is to the one Marshall uses -- a big factor in Yurachek's commitment.

"Marshall is a great university and an exciting team to watch with the way they play," Hummel said. "Terminology will be different, but passing concepts are very similar with routes. He's been exposed to see those things and that will help him be a guy that can adapt quickly and get on the field early because he's used to it.

"He can play end line, the H-back role or flex out and be a slot guy as a mismatch. He's a perfect fit for what they do. The offensive structure of what they do sold him."

Yurachek isn't just a solid prospect for the Herd on the field.

Hummel described him as a high-character kid who puts as much time in to his studies and the weight room as what he does his sport.

"He's just an unbelievable kid -- 4.5 GPA (grade point average) and a gym rat," Hummel said. "He's going to represent Marshall very well and the university will do many things for him as well. It's a great fit for both."

Garvin committed to the Herd on Friday and Cason committed on Saturday.

Yurachek is also the sixth player since May 31 to give the Thundering Herd the nod.

Others to commit include Hyleck Foster, a 5-10, 177-pound athlete who committed June 7 and chose Marshall over offers from Georgia Tech, West Virginia, North Carolina, Wake Forest and others, according to Rivals.com.

The Herd's first commitment for the Class of 2014 was wide receiver Reese Wooten, a 6-2, 170-pound speedster from Cairo (Ga.).

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